Prediction: the iPad WILL BE a Game Changer – But Not Yet!

The iPad itself as a platform of hardware and software seemed a bit underwhelming at the launch.

Is there a need for something between an iPhone and a 13″ MacBook pro, both of which work quite well?

Is the predicted battery life of 10 hours enough, compared to say the Kindle’s eInk which can last for weeks without recharging?

And will people really use a tablet style touch device for manipulating serious spreadsheets or typing word documents?

On its own, the hardware and software platform that is the iPad is not, in my view a game changer.

What will make the iPad a game changer is

the new applications that will be built on and for the iPad, particularly things like new ways of delivering multimedia content through new business models

the business deals with publishers and other content provider, particularly if they establish exclusive arrangements and challenge Amazon.com and other providers’ ability to sell content

The full potential power of the iPad is not apparent at launch. It will only become apparent when it is put in the hands of third party application developers, content owners, and other interested parties who can and will explore and decide how the iPad can be used – and which content and applications and delivery models will be a hit with the market.

Apple’s role in this is to help maintain a vibrant developer and content provider community or ‘ecosystem’ so that the hardware and software platform of the iPad can – with other people’s help – become a game changer.

Prediction: the iPad WILL BE a Game Changer – But Not Yet!

The iPad itself as a platform of hardware and software seemed a bit underwhelming at the launch.

Is there a need for something between an iPhone and a 13″ MacBook pro, both of which work quite well?

Is the predicted battery life of 10 hours enough, compared to say the Kindle’s eInk which can last for weeks without recharging?

And will people really use a tablet style touch device for manipulating serious spreadsheets or typing word documents?

On its own, the hardware and software platform that is the iPad is not, in my view a game changer.

What will make the iPad a game changer is

the new applications that will be built on and for the iPad, particularly things like new ways of delivering multimedia content through new business models

the business deals with publishers and other content provider, particularly if they establish exclusive arrangements and challenge Amazon.com and other providers’ ability to sell content

The full potential power of the iPad is not apparent at launch. It will only become apparent when it is put in the hands of third party application developers, content owners, and other interested parties who can and will explore and decide how the iPad can be used – and which content and applications and delivery models will be a hit with the market.

Apple’s role in this is to help maintain a vibrant developer and content provider community or ‘ecosystem’ so that the hardware and software platform of the iPad can – with other people’s help – become a game changer.